Friday, October 15, 2010

Waiting out the howling wind

Since Scott's parents arrived Monday night the weather has been mostly lovely, except for yesterday with the monsoon-like rains during our visit to Washington. The wind however is constant.

We came into a marina Tuesday night here in St. Michael's to make it easier for getting on and off the boat for our guests and to top up water and do some repairs.

The wind has howled down the mast most of this week and the temperature has dropped from 81F to 40 something in a day. We are waiting to see what will happen tomorrow with the wind. It is supposed to blow NW at 15 to 25 with gusts to 30 and there may be a gale pronounced on the bay. If so, we'll stay hunkered down here and keep knocking off chores on our list. The kids need to get down to getting some school work done as we have had a couple of days off with the visit to Washington and from grandma and grandpa. We're feeling a bit blue about saying goodbye to Molly and Jack but we had such a good visit.

Some chores are done.

Scott installed the new fridge - a new Frig O Boat with a swanky digital thermometer and bigger freezer. Scott also put a thick level of 1/2 inch RMax insulation all around the inside. He did this after a couple we met here last weekend showed us how they did it and they estimated it improved efficiency by 60 per cent, with their fridge only using about 20 amps a day. Their boat was a mid 80s as well so it was relevant.

Of course the fact that we are thrilled with a new fridge that is less than half the size of ours at home and twice the price shows how your perspective can change on the water.

After his parents left today, he installed a new solar vent in our hatch that comes with this cool night light.

I spent a few hours getting groceries with Molly. This afternoon I scrubbed the lockers down and sorted all of the food. It's amazing what you can pack on this boat if you've got a mind to. Scott made a new shelf to mount the new fridge condenser in a tiny locker. Under that shelf that is about a modest 16"X16" I happily fit about 14 cans of soup, two packets of crackers, and some fruit and pudding cups. That's the lunch locker. We've got condiments in the bilge under the V-berth, beer in the tiny bilge between the pantry locker and head and tons of paper goods, chips and more drinks in the space we've carved out above the water tanks. We sent back some junk with Scott's parents (thank goodness it's family) and seem to have a bit more room to fit new junk. Excellent.



Elizabeth and I did our routine of filling up the locker under her bed with drinks of all sorts.

We take all cardboard off the boat. It takes up space and besides which, that's how cockroaches get a free ride.

It is lovely here, the sky is cold and clear and the Miles River at our doorstep flashes reflections of light on its dark waves. The sound of the wind rises and falters as each gust moves across the trees. Halyards slap against masts and flags snap.

We plan to head to Solomon Island about 40 miles away as soon as we can. We're hoping for some good wind - not too light not too much, and out of the NW if you please.

Every now and then as I write the wind howls, the boat leans heavily on its fenders and gives a bit of a groan. But we're sitting tight, lines taut and all is well.

Time for bed.

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